Standing before supporters in Lamu on Thursday, Junet Mohamed did not mince his words.

The Minority Leader in Kenya’s National Assembly accused former president Uhuru Kenyatta of meddling in the affairs of the Orange Democratic Movement, saying he was to blame for the growing divisions within the party.

“As you have seen since Raila left us, there have been wrangles within our party,” Mr Mohamed said. “The problem we have in ODM is not about the broad-based government or President William Ruto. The problem we have is that former president Uhuru Kenyatta. He is the one destroying our party.”

He urged Mr Kenyatta to focus on his own political outfit. “I want to ask you to please leave our party alone. You have your Jubilee party. You have refused to retire as the party leader. Please do your job and leave us alone,” he said.

Mr Mohamed also claimed that Mr Kenyatta was backing dissenting voices within ODM, though he did not provide evidence. He said he would not blame individual party members but would instead “focus on the root of the problem”.

There was no immediate response from Mr Kenyatta or his Jubilee Party to the allegations.

A party in transition

ODM has faced internal strain since the death of its long-time leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in October 2025. Mr Odinga’s passing left a vacuum in a party long shaped by his leadership and political authority.

Tensions escalated this month. On February 11, the party announced the removal of its Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna. A day later, the High Court halted the decision, issuing orders that blocked his ouster pending the hearing and determination of a case filed before it.

The dispute has exposed deeper disagreements over the party’s future direction.

One faction has shown support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing for cooperation within what has been described as a broad-based government arrangement. Another group insists ODM should chart an independent path and field its own presidential candidate.

Siaya Governor James Orengo recently suggested that President Ruto was behind the turmoil. Mr Mohamed dismissed that claim in Lamu, insisting instead that Mr Kenyatta was responsible.

Shifting alliances

Mr Mohamed’s remarks come days after he himself was removed as Secretary General of the Azimio coalition. The changes followed a meeting chaired by Mr Kenyatta. Suba South MP Caroli Omondi was named as his replacement.

Political analysts say the exchanges reflect a wider realignment within Kenya’s opposition politics ahead of the next general election. With Mr Odinga gone, alliances are being tested and rival centres of influence are emerging.

For now, the battle lines within ODM remain visible and unresolved. Court proceedings over Mr Sifuna’s position are ongoing. Senior party figures continue to trade accusations in public.

What is clear is that the party once tightly held together by Mr Odinga is navigating unfamiliar ground — and doing so under the glare of a restless political season.